Mar
01
2009
01
2009
The Importance of The Classroom Library
I believe a classroom library is the heartbeat of a teacher's environment. It is the window into their own personality, and it reflects the importance of literacy in the classroom. I believe every teacher, no matter the subject taught, should ...
Feb
27
2009
27
2009
Teacher Magazine: Test Prep Magic
Check out my article in yesterday's Teacher Magazine outlining 5 little-thought-about strategies in teaching test prep. Hope it helps you during your own Test Prep season.
-Tweenteacher
Feb
25
2009
25
2009
Top 10: How to Take Control of Your Teaching
Occasionally, I repost this article so that new readers can find it more easily. Based on some very enthusiastic feedback, it has since morphed into a book proposal called The Top Secret New Teachers Handbook. I'll share more as it ...
Feb
24
2009
24
2009
DARPA to create metacognitively aware robots
The Register reports that DARPA (Defense Advance Research Projects Agency) is currently researching how to create robots that are "like some self-aware computer systems capable of "meta-reasoning" and "introspection..." Their goal is to "Provide machines with an ability to reason ...
Feb
21
2009
21
2009
Am I So Past My Prime?
Somehow, and maybe I'm reading into it here, I feel a little written off already. Education Week is reporting that some districts are pondering the possibility of "front-loading" new teacher salaries, increasing their compensation earlier in their career to aid ...
Feb
18
2009
18
2009
Here’s why test scores shouldn’t be the only criteria…
OK, so my first period's "Advanced" group went up 40% between their 1st district assessment and their 2nd. Another period went up 37%. Even my Honors class went from 81% Advanced to 97% Advanced, with only 1 student found in ...
Jan
28
2009
28
2009
My New Interactive Whiteboard…an update
OK, you know when you get a new puppy and you love it and you couldn't live without it and then you find out it has hip dysplasia?
That's a little of what my relationship is like with my new ...
Jan
23
2009
23
2009
Metacognitive Poetry: Writing About Thinking While Writing Lesson
Here's a great metacognitive lesson that integrates poetry. Or is it a poetry lesson that is metacognitive? (Shrug) I believe that good writing and great structure can be taught through mimicking great authors. Using this philosophy as my guide, my ...
Jan
16
2009
16
2009
Skills vs. Strategies: UCI Writing Project Challenge
The UCI Writers Project has monthly meetings for its alumni where we discuss certain topics, bringing our field studies and expertise into the conversation. Last night we tackled an issue related to developing a common language: Skills vs. Strategies.
Many of ...
Jan
12
2009
12
2009
Sesame Street: Word on the Street
OK, so as I write this I'm watching Sesame Street with my 2 year old. This big-feathered muppet just announced that the Word on the Street is, get this...Struggle. I kid you not. I guess times are tough even on ...



